Remote-control arrangement for toy vehicle systems



Sept. 5, 1950 D. D. MILNE REMOTE cou'mor. ARRANGEMENT FOR TOY VEHICLE SYSTEMS 2 Sheets-Shee't 1 Filed Jan. 3, 1947 INVENTOR DOUGLAS D/V/L/VE BY awa Sept. 5, 1950 D. D. MILNE REMOTE CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR TOY VEHICLE SYSTEMS Filed Jan. 3, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I .5 Zd

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1977 U/P/Vf V Patented Sept. 5, 1950 REMOTE-CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR TOY VEHICLE SYSTEMS Douglas D. Milne, East Orange, N. J., assignor to National Union Radio Corporation, Newark, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application January 3, 1947, Serial No. 720,079

14 Claims. (Cl. 171-417) This invention relates to toy vehicle systems, such for example as toy train control systems and the like, and more particularly to improvements in remote control arrangements for such systems.

A principal object of the invention relates to a toy train control system wherein the motive power is supplied to the track in the form of direct current, and wherein the various control functions such as starting, stopping, switching,

light control, block signal control, uncoupling, and the like, are effected through the intermediary of distinctive frequencies which are simultaneously impressed upon the track with the power current.

Another object is to provide a simplified toy train control system wherein a great variety of functions can be remotely controlled by using a special pulse-modulated direct current wherein the pulse modulations have distinctive frequencies correlated with the particular functions to be controlled.

Another object is to provide a simplified and improved power supply unit for toy vehicle control systems.

A feature of the invention relates to an improved toy train control system which is capable of being operated from ordinary alternating current house supply mains, but wherein the vehicle equipment and controls are operated by modulations in the power current. I

Another feature relates to a device for converting ordinary house current of the A. C. type into a multi-frequency modulated direct current for use in remotely controlling toy vehicles such as toy trains, airplanes, boats, and the like.

Another feature relates to the combination of a rectifier network and multi-tone generator for producing tone-modulated direct current for use in toy vehicle control systems.

A further feature relates to a novel form of toy vehicle control system employing function-control elements in the form of electromagnetically responsive tuned reeds which are arranged to be invention is equally well applicable to the control of other types of toy vehicles or mechanisms. Accordingly the system shown in the drawing is merely by way of illustration and explanation of the inventive concept, and not by way of limitation to any particular form of toy vehicle control system.

Accordingly, in the drawing,

Fig. l is a composite electric circuit and structural schematic diagram of a toy train control system embodying features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a graph showing the wave form of the converted power current in the absence of any function control signals.

Fig. 3 is a graph showing the wave form of Fig. 2 modulated with one particular function control signal.

Figs. 4, 4a, 5 and 5a are respectively modifications of the modulating portion of the system of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. l, the numerals In, H represent any usual A. C. supply line such as the conventional volt A. C. house supply. connected to the line through any suitable switch I2 is a transformer [3 having a primary winding l4 and three separate secondary windings l5, l6, l1. Winding I5 is connected to the filament or cathode IB of any well-known rectifier tube IS, the plate or anode 20 of which is connected to one terminal of winding l6, and the other terminal of which is connected to ground through onehalf of the secondary winding 21 of a modulation transformer 22. Likewise, the other plate or anode 23 is connected to one terminal of winding l1 and the other terminal of which is connected to ground through the other half of the secondary winding 2|. The tube I!) therefore acts as a full wave rectifier of the alternating current supply to the plates 20 and 23. The electrical midpoint of winding I5 is returned to ground through the windings of the various function control elements which are connected to the track as will be described hereinbelow.

As a result of these connections, when switch I2 is closed, there is produced at the track supply terminals 24, 25 a rectified or direct current having a frequency which is twice the frequency of the alternating current supply. Thus, if the supply from lines In and H is at 60 C. P. S., the terminals 24, 25 will have impressed thereon a C. P. S, rectified current, the individual waves of which will be approximately sinusoidal as represented in Fig. 2. This rectified or direct current is applied to the track rail 26 and to the parallel connected outer rail 21, 28 in the usual ring. Each ring has a different number of segprimary. winding 3 l way, for example by a special connector clip (not shown), and provides the necessary power current for operating the motor 29 of the engine 35.

The primary winding 3| of the modulation transformer 22 is connected across the alternating current line l, H in series with a multitone frequency generator 32. In accordance with one phase of the invention, this tone generator comprises a disc or wheel 33 Which is driven at a constant speed by any suitable motor 35. Disc 33 may be of metal, and in that case is provided with a series of concentric commutator rings each having a series of circumferentially spaced insulator segments 35. While the drawing shows four concentric commutator it will be understood that a greater number may be employed, depending upon the number of switching or circuit functions to be incorporated in the track system. It will be understood of course that the device 33 instead of being in the form of adisc may be in the form of a drum having a series of longitudinally spaced commutator rings.

As shown in Fig. 1, the insulator segments of any given ring are all of the same circumferential length so as to interrupt the current in winding 3| at a predetermined frequency which is a function of the speed of rotation of the disc 33 and of the number of commutator segments; ineach ments from the remaining rings so as to provide .its respective characteristic interruption or chopping frequency. Suitably mounted so as to con- I etc. each of which is connected to a corresponding manual switch as, 4| 42, 63, etc. and in series with a common current limiting resistor 44, which may be adjustable.

It is clear therefore that by operating a particular one of the switches 45-43, a corresponding audio frequency signal is impressed on the Since the secondary winding 2!. is connected in common to the windings l6 and E1, the current which is applied 'toterminals 24, will, when one of the switches 40-43 is operated, have a fundamental frequency of 120 C. P. S. and with amplitude modulations (Fig. 3) in the form of pulses of a definite regularly recurrent audio frequency which will be determined by the particularswitch 4ll43 which is closed. If more than one switch is closed, the direct current will carry a series of frequency modulations simultaneously. In accordancewith the invention, these modulation range, for .example they may be between l and 600 C. P. S., as indicated in the drawing.

The frequency spacing will of course depend 'upon the number of functions to be controlled. If for example the track system is to have ten separate function control elements, then the chopper 33 will have ten separate commutator rings with ten separate brushes to produce ten separate frequencies spaced apart approximately prises a solenoid 68 which is mounted on a suitable bracket attached to a base member 40. Also supported from base 59 is a ratchet wheel 5! carryingan electrical contact 52. Cooperating with the contact 52 is a spring arm contact 53 a which is insulatingly supported from the base 55.

frequencies should be well above the C. P. S.

The ratchet wheel 5| is rotatable on a shaft 54, and a convoluted spring 55 has one end attached to the ratchet wheel and the other end attached to the shaft 54, and is arranged so as normally to maintain the. contacts 52, 53 open. Suitably supported on the base 55 is a tuned. reed 56 the upper end of which carries an armature 5": which is acted upon by the solenoid 48. Reed 55 also carries a pawl 58 which engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel so as to operate it in a clockwise direction. Since the winding of solenoid 4a is connected to the track, it normally tends to attract the armature 51'. However the physical dimensions of the reed 56 and the spacing between armature 51 and the core of solenoid #8 may be'chosen so that this constant direct current is insufficient to move the armature 51 into permanent magnetic contact with the core of the solenoid. While, therefore, the need 56 and pawl. 58 may be biassed towards the right, as a result of the D. C. current, this is insufficient to operate the ratchet wheel 5i toan extent necessary to close the contacts 52, 53. On the other hand, when the distinctive frequency to which the reed56 is tuned, e. g., C. P, S.,'the reed 55 undergoes vigorous vibration since it is in resonance with the applied frequency, and as it vibrates it advances the ratchet wheel 5| a sufficient distance to close the contacts 52, 53, thus applying operating current to the switching control device 45. The device 46 receives this direct current so long as the reed 55 is being vibrated by its distinctive frequency. The mechanism operated by pawl 58 has sufli'cient inertia to impede the wheel 5! against returning to normal in the very short intervals between successive impulses of tone current applied to the winding of magnet 48. On the other hand, when the corresponding switch 40 is opened, the reed 55 fails to act on the ratchet wheel and thus allows the contacts 52 and 53 to be under control of spring 55, thus causing deenergization of the switch control device 46. If desired, a condenser may be connected in series with the track and the winding of solenoid 48 so as to prevent the passage of. direct current through this winding while permitting the distinctive modulation frequency to pass. 7

The device 41 will also be associated with a similar frequency responsive device so that it operates only when its distinctive frequency, e. g. C. P. S. is applied to the track under control of switch H. If both switches 40 and H are simultaneously closed, each of the devices 66, 41 will be selectively operated since the reed 59 will be mechanically tuned to resonate at 195 C. P. S. It will be understood that similar tuned reed frequency responsive devices can be connected to the track, each device having its control reed mechanically tuned so as to respond only to the appropriate one of the modulation frequencies applied through the respective switch associated with device 32.

Referring to Fig. 4, there is shown a modified arrangement for modulating the power current which is applied to the track. In this figure, the

1 parts corresponding to those of Fig. l bear the same designation numerals. In thi embodiment a single transformer 68 is employed. The secondaries l6 and H may constitute one winding which is tapped at its electrical midpoint and connected to the track supply terminals 25. The opposite ends of thiswinding l5--ll are connected for full wave rectification to the anodes 2U, 23 of the rectifier tube l9.'

Instead of connecting the tone generator or chopper 32 in series with the primary winding 3!, this device may be connected directly across the track supply terminals 24, as indicated in Fig. 5. In this embodiment only a single primary winding [4 is required for thetransformer, the secondary winding of which is midtapped and connected to the anodes 2U, 23 of the full wave rectifier tube l9. The device 32 is then bridged across the terminals 24, 25 through the respective frequency control switches 40, 43.

Fig. 4A shows the corresponding modulated rectified output which is applied to the terminals 24, 25 of Fig. 4 wherein the pulse modulations '6! are produced by the device 32. Likewise the corresponding wave shape of the current applied to terminals 24, 25 (Fig. 5) is indicated in Fig. 5A.

In all the foregoing embodiments it will be understood that even when the distinctive frequency modulations are applied to the track cur-- rent, that there is always sufficient direct current present to operate the engine motor 29 or any other similar device which is connected to the track and intended to be operated by steady direct current.

While certain specific embodiments have been disclosed herein, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The expression modulation as employed herein, is the process whereby the amplitude, (or other characteristic) of a wave is varied as a function of the instantaneous value of another wave as defined in the American Standard Definitions of Electrical Terms and adopted by the American Institute of Electrical Engineers.

What is claimed is:

1. A control arrangement for toy mechanisms, comprising means to apply D. C. power current of substantially sinusoidal wave shape to the mechanism to operate it, a function control device associated with said mechanism, and means including a modulation transformer to modulate said power current with a distinctive frequency wave to which said function control device is selectively responsive.

2. A remote control arrangement of the character described, comprising a mechanism to be operated, a transmission line for applying electric power to operate said mechanism in the form of a direct current having a regularl recurrent frequency component, and means including a modulation transformer to selectively modulate said component by any one of a series of distinctive waves of audio frequencies for the selective control of functional elements associated with said mechanism.

' 3. A remote control arrangement according to claim 2 in which the means to apply said electric power includes a rectifier for rectifying alternating current, and the means to selectively impress said distinctive audio frequencies on the power supply includes a multi-tone frequency generator which is coupled to said rectifier through a modulation transformer to modulate the rectified current therefrom.

4. A control arrangement for toy vehicles and their functional accessories comprising means to apply D. C. power current having a regularly recurrent frequency component to the vehicle motor to operate it, a tone frequency generator, and means including a modulation transformer to couple said generator to said power current applying means to modulate said power current with a distinctive function control frequency.

5. A control arrangement for toy vehicles and their functional accessories comprising means to apply D. C. power current having a regularly recurrent frequency component to the vehicle motor to operate it, a plurality of function control devices for the vehicle, a multi-tone frequency generator, and means including a modulation transformer for coupling said generator to said power current applying means to modulate said power current selectively with any one of a series of frequencies for selectively operating said function control devices.

6. A control arrangement for toy vehicles and their functional accessories comprising means to rectify current from an A. C. supply line to produce a direct current having a regularly recurrent frequency component, a continuously rotating current interrupter, means including a modulation transformer to associate said interrupter with said rectifier means to produce in the rectified output a distinctive frequency component in the form of a modulation thereof, and a function control device for the vehicle and selectively responsive to said distinctive frequency modulation.

7. A control arrangement for toy systems and the like, comprising an A. C. power transformer, a rectifier for the current from said transformer to produce a direct current having a regularly recurrent frequency component, a multi-frequency tone generator, and means including a modulation transformer coupling said generator with said transformer to modulate said compo nent with any of the tones from said generator.

8. A control arrangement for toy systems and the like, comprising an A. C. power transformer, a rectifier for the current from said transformer, a multi-tone frequency generator, a modulation transformer, means including said modulation transformer for coupling said tone generator to the output of said rectifier to produce a direct current signal wave of substantially sinusoidal shape with each wave carrying modulations corresponding to a particular selected tone from said generator, and a plurality of mechanically tuned elements connected to the modulated output and selectively responsive to the tone frequencies from said generator.

9. An arrangement according to claim 8 in which said tone generator is connected in circuit with a primary of said power transformer.

10. A control arrangement according to claim 8 in which said rectifier is of the full Wave type, said power transformer having a pair of full wave rectifier windings, and the secondary of said 7 medzuletion txenefimmer- Le c mectefii serie between said full wave windings.

ll... A newer eunmy' unit:- fQr my treim cent-r01 track. sys ms, and the like, c mprisin an A... C mwer tzensfomner havin a. prima y wmdin and a pair f full Wave secondary xvmdinge, a rectifier. tube having its anedes; Qonneeted aemss said tall, wave windings 0e produce a dimct: current; having a regularly recurrent: treq ency cemponent, a mqdullatien transfionmer, e multietene generator connected. n the primary Qi' said meduletien transfiermer, and. means ineludin the trackof: the system for connecting the cathode ofseid rectifier tube to the electrical. midpoint of said. medukatim erensformen E0 amplyhe said bra-ck system. the said re ular frequen y ommnent modulated by a t ne fimm. said gen rate!)- 12 A power supply unit tel: toy tram eentrol track systems and the like, c mprising a seume of alternating currentof substantially sinuseidal wave shape, a full-wave rectifi r eomleeted to said snuree. for producing e rectified signal also of substantially sinusoidal wave shape, a squrc cf tone frequency signals of djfierent selectable frequencies, a modulation transiormer c uplin the said tone frequency signals tea the Output Qf said rectifier ta produce. medulatiens. in the rect fled wave eorrespandingto the seleeted tone sienals, and circuit conneefiiens for applying he modulated rectifieel wave t0 the track: 621 Q QEPOI purposes.

a ENQES QIIED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UN T D TATES PATENTS. Number Name Date 161,738 15 1.! e Am. 6, 1875 503,321. Hunter Au .15, 1 93 1, 42,756 An eld e v Oct. 9, 1917 1,635,779 Carter July 12, 1927 1,689,097 McCree May 8, 1928 2,001,708 Curtis May 21, 1935 2,073,443 Cardoza Mar. 9, 193'! 

